Secretary of State Handel Announces Partnership with Atlanta Falcons

Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel today announced a partnership between the Secretary of State’s Office and the Atlanta Falcons to remind Georgia voters about the state’s photo ID requirement for in-person voting; voter registration deadlines and early voting prior to the November 4, 2008 General Election.

The partnership includes public service announcements recorded by Falcons players and Secretary Handel which will air during pre-game, in-game and post-game radio broadcasts. Falcons players Thomas Brown, Erik Coleman, Jason Elam, Brian Finneran and Matt Ryan appear in the PSAs with Secretary Handel, reminding Georgia voters to bring a photo ID when voting in person; the October 6 deadline to register to vote in the General Election; and voting by mail or in person during advance voting week.

The radio PSAs are available on the Secretary of State’s website: http://sos.georgia.gov/atlantafalcons.htm.

“I want to thank the entire Atlanta Falcons organization for the positive work they do in Georgia’s communities,” Handel said. “I’m excited to team up with the Falcons to remind Georgia voters about early voting options, voter registration and our photo ID requirement for in person voting.”

“Each season, the Atlanta Falcons strive to be among the most active community citizens in the National Football League,” said Jim Smith, Atlanta Falcons Vice President of Marketing. “This partnership opens new doors for our organization, and represents another valuable way we can leverage our resources to reach communities across Georgia.”

Additionally, Falcons home games at the Georgia Dome will feature end zone-to-end zone LED banners directing fans to visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information on the photo ID requirement, voter registration and early voting options.

The radio PSAs will run through Sunday, November 2. The Georgia Dome LED banners will run during each Falcons home game through October 12.

Karen Handel was sworn in as Georgia Secretary of State in January 2007. The Secretary of State’s office offers important services to our citizens and our business community. Among the office’s wide-ranging responsibilities, the Secretary of State is charged with conducting efficient and secure elections, the registration of corporations, and the regulation of securities and professional license holders. The office also oversees the Georgia Archives and the Capitol Museum.
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Callaway Gardens Invites You to Take a Hike!

Hike in The Preserve at Callaway Gardens®, an area accessible to visitors only on guided programs. Trails have a natural, uneven surface and require sturdy walking shoes. In case of inclement weather, hikes and walks may be canceled. Registration required; directions sent with confirmation letter.

Hiking the Ridge: A Pine Mountain Trek
Saturday, October 4, 2008, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; ages 12 and older
6 miles; moderately strenuous
Fee: $7 members; $8 non-members

Columbus Day Hike
Monday, October 13, 2008, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.; ages 10 and older
2.5 miles; moderately strenuous
Fee: $5 members; $6 non-members

Autumn Adventure Hike
Saturday, November 1, 2008, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; ages 12 and older
5.5 miles; moderately strenuous
Fee: $7 members; $8 non-members
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Former Yellow Jackets Add Gold Medals in Beijing

Two athletes with ties to the Georgia Institute of Technology received gold medals during the 2008 Olympic games.

Chis Bosh won a gold medal as a member of the U.S. men’s basketball team. Bosh played his frehsman season at Georgia Tech before entering the NBA draft in 2003 and signing with the Toronto Raptors.

Former Georgia Tech track star, Angelo Taylor, won two gold medals in Beijing—one for the men’s 400 meter hurdles and the second for being a member of the first-place 1,600 relay team. Angelo attended Georgia Tech from 1997-98 where he won the NCAA title in 1998 and placed second in 1997.

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Saturday's 5K Still On; Wellness Committee Monitoring Conditions

The Valdosta State University Wellness Committee is still monitoring weather conditions for the Centennial 5K Fun Run/Walk that will be held at 7 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23.

VSU will continue to monitor Fay's path. Please check VSU News, www.valdosta.edu/news for updates.

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Emory Volleyball Ranked No. 3 in Preseason Poll

SSG Note: Emory Eagles, we're rooting for you. After all the Olympic volleyball coverage lately, we're primed and ready to cheer you to victory!

Hopes are high in the Emory volleyball camp during the early stages of fall drills and those optimistic expectations are shared by voters in the CBS College Sports Network/American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III Top 25 Preseason Poll with the Eagles holding down the No. 3 position. Emory finished with 541 points and received one first-place vote. The Eagles’ preseason ranking is the program’s highest since the preseason poll made its debut in 2000.

Head Coach Jenny McDowell enters her 13th season at the helm of the program with a total of nine letterwinners, including four starters, returning from last season’s club that posted an overall won-lost slate of 33-7 that included an 12th straight appearance to the NCAA Tournament where it advanced to the quarterfinal round. Among the returnees are senior setter Madison Robelen, a second team All-America honoree from 2007, and senior middle hitter Dani Huffman, who garnered first team All-University Athletic Association status last season.

Holding down the No. 1 spot in the preseason rankings is Juniata College with 13 first-place votes and 588 total points. University Athletic Association member and defending national champion Washington University is No. 2 with 584 points while Wittenberg College (492 pts.) and La Verne (466 pts.) are 4th and 5th, respectively.

The Eagles opens the 2008 campaign the weekend of August 29-30 when they compete at the Comfort Inn Challenge hosted by Birmingham Southern College.

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First Friday Kicks Off Football Season

Join the UGA Alumni Association Aug. 29 and help kick off an exciting 2008 football season with First Friday “Day with the Dawgs.”

UGA Football Coach Mark Richt gets things going at a Bulldog Breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at The Foundry in Athens. His wife, Katharyn, will host a “First Ladies of Football” lunch in the Pecan Tree Galleria at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center and Hotel from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

The scene shifts to the Tate Student Center plaza at 2 p.m. where UGA Men’s Basketball Coach Dennis Felton will be on hand for autographs and pictures. From 5-7 p.m. there will be a fashion show, school spirit contest and giveaways with CBS 46 weather forecaster Dagmar Midcap. During the same time the Alumni Association will host a book signing inside the UGA Bookstore featuring authors Loran Smith, Tony Barnhart, Charley Trippi and Patrick Garbin.

First Friday “Day with the Dawgs” culminates with a pep rally at the Tate Student Center plaza from 8-9 p.m., which will be broadcast live on Atlanta’s CBS 46. Special guests will include UGA Athletic Director Damon Evans, CBS 46 sports anchor Gil Tyree, former Bulldog lineman Matt Stinchcomb, mascot Hairy Dawg, the Redcoat Pep Band and UGA Cheerleaders.

Events prior to First Friday include a “Fuel Up for First Friday” dinner at UGA’s dining halls Thursday, Aug. 28 and a week-long residence hall door decorating contest.

For more information and to register for the “First Ladies of Football,” see http://www.uga.edu/alumni or call 706/542-2251.

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ProLink Announces Promotional and Event Partnerships with River Oaks US Men’s Clay Court Championship; and Elton John & Billie Jean King Charity Event

October 12, 2008
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA

See Andy Roddick, M. Navratilova, and Anna Kournikova

Charity: Elton John AIDS Foundation, www.etix.com

BUSINESS WIRE --ProLink Sports + Entertainment + Media (ProLink) announced today that it will serve as an event partner for two of tennis' premier events: the 2008 World Team Tennis' All-Star Smash Hits event benefiting the Elton John AIDS Foundation in Atlanta, Georgia and the 2009 River Oaks US Men’s Clay Court Championship at River Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas.

ProLink will assist with promotions, media and sponsorship development for both events and will assist WTT with event operations. Tim Stallard, president of ProLink, says, “It is an honor to be part of two of tennis' premier event. We look forward to being a part of the great history of the River Oaks US Men’s Clay Court Championship and we are inspired by the charitable efforts of Sir Elton John and Bille Jean King who have raised nearly $8.5 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.” WTT All-Star Smash Hits Event will take place October 12 in Atlanta, Georgia. The River Oaks US Men's Clay Court Championship will be held April 6-12, 2009.

"We are excited to work with ProLink as we continue to brand and grow the River Oaks US Men’s Clay Court Championship," said Van Barry, Tournament Director. He adds, “Tim Stallard and his team at ProLink have an outstanding reputation with sponsors, media and players throughout our sport. They have a passion for excellence and sincerely want to help grow the sport of tennis."

ProLink will launch its "Grow the Game" nationwide series of events on September 11, 2008, in Austin, Texas with the world’s #1 doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan.

The nationwide series will feature several of the game's greatest players including Pete Sampras, Martina Navratilova, Andy Roddick and Anna Kournikova. ProLink is proud to partner with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to promote several key USTA programs including Quickstart and the Arthur Ashe Legacy program-National Junior Tennis League (NJTL). Each event will benefit local charities to help make a positive impact in the local community.

For more information on WTT All-Star Smash Hits please visit www.wtt.com.

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